ISSN: 2171-6315 Volume 2 - 2012

Editor:
Jaime Almansa Sánchez

www.arqueologiapublica.es

AP:
Online Journal in Public Archaeology

AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology is edited by JAS Arqueología S.L.U.

AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology Volume 2 -2012 p. 24-54

FORUM
7KHOLPLWVRIFROODERUDWLRQ2VPDQDJLüLQWKHFDPSXV

This forum responds to the controversy generated after the invitation of

6HPLU2VPDQDJLüWRJLYHDOHFWXUHDW/LQQDHXV8QLYHUVLW\ODVWDXWXPQ
Was it convenient? Did it ‘hurt’ in some way archaeology? Could it
be helpful to understand certain alternative approaches? And social
perspectives towards the past? What is our role towards these issues?
After a contextualization of the topic by Tera Pruitt, four professionals
will raise their opinions about the event. Finally, Cornelius Holtorf and
Jacob Hilton analyze the consequences of the lecture.

INVITATION

'U6HPLU2VPDQDJLü+RXVWRQ7H[DV
The Bosnian Valley of the Pyramids in Context
Time: 18 October 2011, 2.00 – 4.00 pm
9HQXH/LQQDHXV8QLYHUVLW\.DOPDU8QLYHUVLW\/LEUDU\6WXGLR
The lecture will also be broadcast from Room Plato, Campus Vaxjo

6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü LV EHVW NQRZQ IRU KLV FRQWURYHUVLDO ZRUN RQ WKH
%RVQLDQS\UDPLGVDW9LVLNR,QWKLVOHFWXUHZLWKGLVFXVVLRQKHZLOO
FRQWH[WXDOL]H KLV ZRUN LQ %RVQLD ERWK LQ UHODWLRQ WR RWKHU S\UDPLGV
around the world and in relation to tourism and heritage in Bosnia.
Although most scholars dispute the existence of any such pyramids in
%RVQLD2VPDQDJLüFRQWLQXHVWRLQYHVWLJDWHZKDWKHEHOLHYHVDUHWKH
oldest pyramids in Europe and the largest pyramids in the world in
9LVRNR$IWHUWKHOHFWXUHZHZLOOFULWLFDOO\GLVFXVVWKHZD\LQZKLFKWKH
Bosnian pyramids received global media coverage and the relations
among the media, archaeological research and cultural heritage in
Bosnia and beyond.

More information at
‡ZZZVDPRVPDQDJLFKFRP
‡ZZZERVQLDQS\UDPLGRIWKHVXQFRP
‡KWWSLUQDODXWUHQHW

Free entry! All welcome!

 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 25

$662&,$7('35(665(/($6(

$Q LQWHUQDWLRQDOO\ NQRZQ DQG KLJKO\ FRQWURYHUVLDO JXHVW ZLOO EH

SUHVHQWLQJDW/LQQDHXV8QLYHUVLW\QH[W7XHVGD\$OOZHOFRPH

%DFNJURXQG PRVW DUFKDHRORJLVWV FRQVLGHU 6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü D

pseudo-archaeologist since the pyramids he claimed to have found in
Bosnia are, in all probability, natural, geological formations. In spite
of that, he has received large attention in the global media, and his
activities in Bosnia have attracted many tourists to a poor country
that has obviously had a strong own need, and also a demand by
tourists, for a sensational cultural heritage.
6HHDOVRKHUHKWWSVYZLNLSHGLDRUJZLNL%RVQLVNDBS\UDPLGHU

3URIHVVRU &RUQHOLXV +ROWRUI LV UHVSRQVLEOH IRU /LQQDHXV 8QLYHUVLW\¶V

SURJUDPPH LQ +HULWDJH 6WXGLHV IRU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW WKH
SURJUDPPHVHHKWWSOQXVHXWELOGQLQJSURJUDPNJNXP

“We invited him not because we take his interpretations

VFLHQWL¿FDOO\VHULRXVEXWEHFDXVHZHWKLQNZHKDYHWRGLVFXVV
his activities and its outcomes. The Bosnian pyramids have
affected not only tourism and the perception of cultural
KHULWDJHLQ%RVQLDEXWDOVRKRZZHVHHWKHFXOWXUDOKHULWDJH
in society more generally. Can invented heritage have the
same (or greater) power than genuine cultural heritage?
What are tourists really looking for when they visit cultural
heritage sites? How does one present archaeology and
heritage to the global media so that they will be covering it?
How does Osmanagiühimself see his critics among academic
DUFKHRORJLVWV DQG VSHFL¿FDOO\ DPRQJ WKH DUFKDHRORJLVWV
working in Bosnia?”

%/2*6:KHUHWKHGLVFXVVLRQ¿UVWVWDUWHG

Aardvarchaeology:
KWWSVFLHQFHEORJVFRPDDUGYDUFKDHRORJ\VZHGLVKB
XQLYHUVLW\BLQYLWHVBLPDSKS
Archaeological Haecceities:
KWWSKDHFFHLWLHVZRUGSUHVVFRPRVPDQDJLFK
ZLOOVSHDNDWDVZHGLVKXQLYHUVLW\
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 26

,QWURGXFWLRQ

7HUD358,77
3\UDPLGV3HUIRUPDQFHDQG3VHXGRVFLHQFHLQ9LVRNR%RVQLD

$9DOOH\DQG$0DQ7KH6WRU\%HKLQGWKH%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGV
The story is quite simple: an alternative archaeologist in Bosnia-
Herzegovina claims that he has discovered the oldest and largest
manmade pyramids in the world. Most professional archaeologists
strongly disagree; they call his project pseudoscience, arguing that
the ‘pyramids’ are simply straight-edged mountains, in a naturally hilly
landscape formed by glacial movements and natural erosion. Despite
this seductively simple narrative, the socio-political tale behind the
Bosnian Pyramids project, which has held a great deal of power and
LQÀXHQFHLQ%RVQLDLVDPXFKPRUHFRPSOH[VWRU\
,Q$SULODPDQQDPHG6HPLU2VPDQDJLüDQQRXQFHGWKDWKH
KDGGLVFRYHUHG¿YH3DODHROLWKLFS\UDPLGVLQWKHVPDOO%RVQLDQWRZQRI
9LVRNR ORFDWHG  PLOHV QRUWKZHVW RI 6DUDMHYR 2VPDQDJLü ZDV QRW
an archaeologist; he was a business owner and alternative historian,
DXWKRURIERRNVRQDOLHQHQFRXQWHUVDQGP\VWLFLVPLQWKHDQFLHQW0D\D
FLYLOLVDWLRQ2VPDQDJLF$FFRUGLQJWR2VPDQDJLü¶VQHZFODLPV
WKHKLOO\9LVRþLFDULYHUYDOOH\LQ%RVQLDLVDFWXDOO\DULFKDUFKDHRORJLFDO
ODQGVFDSH IXOO RI PHJDOLWKLF S\UDPLGV DQFLHQW URFN TXDUU\ VLWHV
riverbeds full of ‘mysterious stone balls’, an a labyrinth of underground
tunnels, and includes the largest and oldest manmade pyramid in the
ZRUOG ZKLFK WKH ORFDOV FDOO µ9LVRþLFD +LOO¶ DQG 2VPDQDJLü UHQDPHG
µ3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ¶

Figure 1.
9LVRþLFD +LOO 3\UDPLG RI WKH 6XQ
DERYH WKH VPDOO WRZQ RI 9LVRNR
Bosnia-Herzegovina.
(This is a freely distributed image)
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 27

7R WKLV GD\ 6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü PDQDJHV ODUJHVFDOH DPDWHXU

H[FDYDWLRQVLQ9LVRNR$ORQJZLWKDFRUHWHDPRIDPDWHXUHQWKXVLDVWV
DQG YROXQWHHUV 2VPDQDJLü KDV HQOLVWHG WKH KHOS RI FUHGHQWLDOHG
historians, geologists, Egyptologists and archaeologists, as well as an
eclectic mix of alternative historians and paranormal energy specialists
,&%3  (DFK VXPPHU KLV HPSOR\HG WHDP DQG KXQGUHGV RI
FRPPXQLW\ YROXQWHHUV H[FDYDWH WKH VLWH 'XULQJ ZLQWHU 2VPDQDJLü
runs a circuit of media performances and institutional presentations
to promote the site and its importance. Previous stops on this circuit
LQFOXGHDFDGHPLFSUHVHQWDWLRQVLQSODFHVOLNHWKH%RVQLDQ(PEDVV\LQ
/RQGRQDQGWKH6RFLHW\RI$OH[DQGULDLQ(J\SWDVZHOODVSUHVHQWDWLRQV
DWIULQJHDQGSDUDQRUPDOKLVWRU\FRQIHUHQFHVOLNHµ0HJDOLWKRPDQLD¶LQ
*ODVWRQEXU\DQGWKHµ+LVWRULHV 0\VWHULHV¶FRQIHUHQFHLQ(GLQEXUJK
ZKLFKIHDWXUHGFU\VWDOVNXOOV
The Bosnian Pyramids project has a strange dynamic between
D µKDUG VFLHQWL¿F¶ DQG D µIULQJH¶ LGHQWLW\ 6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü ¿UVW DQG
IRUHPRVW SURPRWHV WKH SURMHFW DV D JHQXLQH VFLHQWL¿F HQWHUSULVH
ZKHUH µSURRIV¶ DUH FROOHFWHG WKURXJK VFLHQWL¿F PHWKRGRORJLHV OLNH
UDGLRFDUERQGDWLQJ,&%3JHRWKHUPDODQGUDGDUDQDO\VLVFRUH
VDPSOLQJDQGVFLHQWL¿FH[FDYDWLRQ2VPDQDJLFD$FFRUGLQJWR
2VPDQDJLü³7KH$UFKDHRORJLFDO3DUN)RXQGDWLRQEHOLHYHVWKDWRQO\D
PXOWLGLVFLSOLQDU\ DSSURDFK ZLWK VHULRXV VFLHQWL¿F DUJXPHQWDWLRQ RQ
internationally recognized level will yield a successful realization of the
%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGVSURMHFW´2VPDQDJLFD
However, hidden underneath the project’s veneer of science is
an equally intense New Age sensationalism and endorsement of
‘mysterious energies’ that drive the pyramid mythology. Many, if not
PRVW RI 2VPDQDJLü¶V FRUH VXSSRUWHUV KDYH EDFNJURXQGV HQGRUVLQJ
fringe, supernatural, extraterrestrial and conspiratorial theories in their
RZQERRNVDQGUHVHDUFK,&%3&RSSHQV$VKLVSURMHFW
KDVPDWXUHG2VPDQDJLüKDVEHFRPHPRUHFRPIRUWDEOHSURPRWLQJWKH
pyramids’ esoteric side. For example, the headlining picture on the most
UHFHQWRI¿FLDO%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGVZHEVLWHVSRUWVDSLFWXUHRIDS\UDPLG
ZLWKDQHQHUJ\EHDPFRPLQJRXWRIWKHWRS)RQGDFLMD

5HDFWLRQDQG5HFHSWLRQ$3RVLWLYH:HOFRPHIRU3\UDPLGV
$IWHUKHDGOLQHVEURNHLQS\UDPLGIUHQ]\VZHSW%RVQLDDQG
6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü EHFDPH DQ RYHUQLJKW FHOHEULW\ 7HOHYLVLRQ PHGLD
GHSLFWHG2VPDQDJLüDVDNKDNLZHDULQJDGYHQWXUHU²D³%RVQLDQ,QGLDQD
-RQHV´² FRPH WR KHOS %RVQLD¶V HFRQRP\ LQ UHFHVVLRQ E\ ERRVWLQJ
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 28

tourism and by giving the country a positive and sensational past worth
LQWHUQDWLRQDOQRWLFH$%&)RHU:RRGDUG
2VPDQDJLüSURPRWHVKLVSURMHFWDVDJUDVVURRWVPRYHPHQWZKHUH
the discipline of archaeology is democratized, and where any person
can be involved in a positive message and positive economic change.
$FFRUGLQJWR2VPDQDJLü
Our wish is that Bosnia and Herzegowina [sic] becomes a
OLYHO\SODFHZKHUHH[SORUHUVVWXGHQWVSURIHVVRUVYROXQWHHUV
RI OLJKWHQHG IDFHV H[FKDQJH WKHLU LQWHUQDWLRQDO VFLHQWL¿F
NQRZOHGJH7RXULVPZLOOGHYHORSWKHPDUNHWWKHHFRQRP\ZLOO
raise and infrastructures will be built.2VPDQDJLF
He has often implied that the discipline of archaeology, as it
is professionally practised now, is an undemocratic and exclusive
operation, bordering on a conspiracy, which ‘hides the truth’ about the
real past from the public.
The project’s sudden popularity has certainly had an impact on
WKH ORFDO HFRQRP\ 9LVLWRUV WR 9LVRNR URFNHWHG IURP D PHUH 
YLVLWRUVD\HDUEHIRUHWKHS\UDPLGVWRU\WRYLVLWRUVLQWKHSHDN
\HDU RI  )RHU  ,Q D UHFHVVLRQ HFRQRP\ VWLOO UHFRYHULQJ
IURPDUHFHQWFLYLOZDUWKHS\UDPLGVKDYHJLYHQ9LVRNR
a much-needed economic boost. The region has bloomed with new
stores selling handmade pyramid souvenirs, new paved roads, new
MREVDVWRXUJXLGHVDQGQHZUHVWDXUDQWV6LWR6XFLF7KHSURMHFW
has undeniably been a great stimulus and inspiration to the Bosnian
people.

Figure 2.
1HZ EXVLQHVVHV OLNH WKLV
RQH ZHUH EXLOW LQ 9LVRNR
WRDFFRPPRGDWHWKHLQÀX[
of tourists.
This restaurant advertises
with a large brick pyramid
on its front lawn.
(Photo by Tera Pruitt)
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

The project has also created a much-desired new history: a Bosnian

µ*ROGHQ $JH¶ ,Q D SROLWLFDOO\ GLVMRLQWHG FRXQWU\ ZKLFK H[SHULHQFHG D
JUHDW GHDO RI VXIIHULQJ LQ LWV UHFHQW FLYLO ZDU ³QRVWDOJLD IRU WKH ORVW
native places and homes, shattered dreams, insecurity, disappointment,
SHVVLPLVP DUH FRQWLQXLQJ WR KDXQW HYHU\ERG\´ =KHO\D]NRYD 
$FFRUGLQJWRPDQ\PDQ\%RVQLDQVDUHGLYLGHGRYHUZKHWKHURU
QRW%RVQLDVKRXOGHYHQFRQVLGHULWVHOIDXQL¿HGµQDWLRQ¶%UXFH7ULJJHU
ZULWHV RI QDWLRQDOLVWLF DUFKDHRORJ\ ³7KH SULPDU\ IXQFWLRQ«LV WR
bolster the pride and morale of nations or ethnic groups. It is probably
strongest amongst peoples who feel politically threatened, insecure or
GHSULYHGRIWKHLUFROOHFWLYHULJKWVE\PRUHSRZHUIXOQDWLRQV´7ULJJHU
,QVXFKDFRQWH[WWKHVWRU\RI%RVQLDDVDµVRXUFHRIZRUOG
civilisation’ provides a positive symbol for a country still divided over
its own national identity. It provides a town in recession with a much-
needed economic boost.
The only problem, one might argue, is that the ‘pyramids’ are
completely invented.

7KH6FLHQFH3VHXGRVFLHQFHDQG3HUIRUPDQFHRI3\UDPLGV
0DLQVWUHDP SURIHVVLRQDO VFLHQWLVWV KDYH EHHQ TXLFN WR GLVPLVV
the Bosnian Pyramids. In many ways, the project is ‘classic’
pseudoscience; it blurs the line between material reality and wishful
WKLQNLQJPDLQWDLQLQJµWUXWK¶RQO\WKURXJKDWKLQIUDJLOHSHUIRUPDQFH
RI VFLHQFH 3UXLWW  6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü DQG KLV WHDP UXQ WKH
JDPXWRQSVHXGRVFLHQWL¿FPHWKRGVKXJHFODLPVDQGRYHUO\DPELWLRXV
promises, disparaging academia while, simultaneously, appealing
to academic authority, a dogged adherence to outdated theoretical
models, presenting selective and distorted images of the site, basing
interpretations on logical fallacies and inconsistencies, and having an
REVHVVLRQZLWKHVRWHULFDQGVXSHUQDWXUDOP\VWHULHVFI)DJDQ
$UFKDHRORJLVWV OLNH 3DXO +HLQULFK DW /RXLVLDQD 6WDWH 8QLYHUVLW\
DUJXH WKDW ³7KH ODQGIRUP >WKDW 2VPDQDJLü@ LV FDOOLQJ D S\UDPLG LV
DFWXDOO\TXLWHFRPPRQ7KH\¶UHFDOOHGµÀDWLURQV¶LQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV
DQG \RX VHH D ORW RI WKHP RXW :HVW«>DQG@ ³KXQGUHGV DURXQG WKH
ZRUOG´ LQFOXGLQJ WKH ³5XVVLDQ 7ZLQ 3\UDPLGV´ LQ 9ODGLYRVWRN TWG LQ
:RRGDUG  7KLV DVVHVVPHQW ZDV FRQ¿UPHG LQ D ORFDO VWXG\ E\
a team of Bosnian geologists led by professor Sejfudin Vrabac at the
8QLYHUVLW\ RI 7X]OD ,Q  WKH\ FROOHFWHG FRUH VDPSOHV IURP WKH
µS\UDPLGV¶DQGFRQ¿UPHGWKDWWKHKLOOVLQWKH9LVRþLFDULYHUYDOOH\DUH
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

simply natural geological formations made of clastic layered sediments

9UDEDF
No genuine, uncontested ‘pyramid’ archaeology has been found
at the site. No archaeological tools or any clear signs of settlement for
EXLOGLQJS\UDPLGVKDYHEHHQLGHQWL¿HG5RVHE7KHRQO\KXPDQ
alterations of the landscape date from much later periods of time: some
evidence of nomadic Neolithic activity, some Iron Age settlements,
but most archaeology in the region dates from the Medieval to the
SUHVHQW0DOFRPQRWIURPWKH3DODHROLWKLFDV2VPDQDJLFKDV
GDWHG WKH S\UDPLGV ,&%3  7KH DUWHIDFWV WKDW 2VPDQDJLü KDV
attributed to ‘pyramid builders’ are controversial at best, dubious at
worst. Most ‘pyramid artefacts’ that I have personally seen have been
VLPSO\URFNVRWKHUREMHFWVOLNHPHWDOPRXOGVDQGJULQGVWRQHVZHUH
attributed, even by the employed site archaeologist, to the Iron Age or
ODWHU3UXLWW

Figure 3.
Project volunteer proudly
showing off a ‘pyramid
artefact’ marked with a
record number.
,Q UHDOLW\ WKLV LV QRW DQ
DUWHIDFWMXVWDURFN
(Photo by Tera Pruitt)
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

2VPDQDJLü OLNH PRVW SVHXGRDUFKDHRORJLVWV GRHV QRW ULJRURXVO\

test his own assumptions or build explanations based on found
evidence, but rather he constructs ‘proofs’ of monumental architecture
after the fact to verify his pre-established theories. His excavations
ORRN OLNH KH LV FDUYLQJ S\UDPLGDO VWHSV RXW RI WKH KLOOV DQG KLV VLWH
photographs and reports carefully angle and construct a reality that
ORRNVYHU\GLIIHUHQWIURPWKHRQHDYLVLWRUVHHVZKHQWKH\DFWXDOO\ZDON
WKURXJKWKHVLWH)RHU2VPDQDJLüVLPSO\SHUIRUPVWKHDFWLYLWLHV
ZHFRPHWRDVVRFLDWHZLWKVFLHQWL¿FDUFKDHRORJ\VXFKDVGLJJLQJXS
things and collecting radiocarbon results, but it is a performance with
no substantive evidence.
$JRRGH[DPSOHLVWKHZD\2VPDQDJLüXVHGUDGLRFDUERQDQDO\VLVWR
GDWHKLVS\UDPLGVWRWKH3DODHROLWKLF,&%33UXLWW,Q
JHQXLQHVDPSOHVRIFDUERQL]HGPDWHULDOZHUHWDNHQE\DFUHGHQWLDOHG
archaeologist employed by the pyramid team. These samples were
FDUHIXOO\ SDFNHG DQG VKLSSHG WR UHSXWDEOH UDGLRFDUERQ ODERUDWRULHV
VXFK DV WKH *LOZLFH 5DGLRFDUERQ /DERUDWRU\ LQ 3RODQG ZKLFK WKHQ
GHOLYHUHGJHQXLQHUDGLRFDUERQUHVXOWVEDFNWRWKHS\UDPLGWHDP7KHVH
UHVXOWV ZHUH WKHQ SUHVHQWHG DW WKH SURMHFWIXQGHG ³VW ,QWHUQDWLRQDO
6FLHQWL¿F &RQIHUHQFH RI WKH %RVQLDQ 3\UDPLGV´ E\ D PHPEHU RI WKH
*LOZLFH5DGLRFDUERQ/DERUDWRU\6RIDUWKLVLVDVWUXFWXUHGDQGVFLHQWL¿F
series of events.
7KHSUREOHPVHPHUJHLQ2VPDQDJLü¶VLQWHUSUHWDWLRQ7KHUHZDVQR
evidence to suggest humans ever came in contact with the carbonized
material found in the tunnels and radiocarbon dated. Even the trained
DUFKDHRORJLVW ZKR WRRN WKH VDPSOHV DUJXHG DW WKH FRQIHUHQFH WKDW
WKH WXQQHOV ZHUH OLNHO\ QDWXUDO IRUPDWLRQV DQG WKHUH ZDV OLWWOH WR
VXJJHVWWKHFDUERQZDVDQ\WKLQJRWKHUWKDQDWUHHURRW/DZOHU
2VPDQDJLü¶V¿QDOLQWHUSUHWDWLRQRI³$KD5DGLRFDUERQGDWHVPHDQVD
%RVQLDQVXSHUFLYLOLVDWLRQEXLOWS\UDPLGVLQ%&´ZDVDIDOODFLRXV
leap of logic. To the public, however, the series of events seemed
OHJLWLPDWHVLQFHUDGLRFDUERQDQDO\VLVDQGRWKHUVFLHQWL¿FPHWKRGVDUH
often thought to simply ‘reveal truth’, even though they require constant
KXPDQLQSXWDQGLQWHUSUHWDWLRQWRFRQVWUXFWIDFWV3UXLWW
'HVSLWH WKH SURMHFW¶V LQYHQWHG UHVXOWV WKHLU DFWLYLWLHV ²OLNH WKH
UDGLRFDUERQGDWLQJDFDGHPLFFRQIHUHQFHVSXEOLVKLQJVFLHQWL¿FUHSRUWV²
ORRNHQRUPRXVO\FRQYLQFLQJWRWKHJHQHUDOSXEOLF2VPDQDJLüLVDPDVWHU
at drawing on reputable institutions and credentialed people to bolster
KLV VLWH¶V SUR¿OH DQG FODLPV 7R IXUWKHU KLV RZQ FUHGLELOLW\ LQ 
2VPDQDJLüVXFFHVVIXOO\FRPSOHWHGD3K'DWWKH8QLYHUVLW\RI6DUDMHYR
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

,QFUHGLEO\KHDOVRREWDLQHGDOHFWXULQJSRVWDWWKH$PHULFDQ8QLYHUVLW\
LQ6DUDMHYRLQ'HVSLWHWKHIDFWWKDWPRVWRI2VPDQDJLü¶VZRUN
LVµVPRNHDQGPLUURUVVFLHQFH¶KLVSURMHFWQRZKDVDOOWKHDSSHDUDQFH
RIDXWKRULW\DQGDOOWKHFUHGHQWLDOVWREDFNKLVFODLPV$UFKDHRORJLVWV
around the world wonder, how did this happen?

Professional Archaeology and the Bosnian Pyramids

Since the beginning of the project, many professional archaeologists
have responded critically, even hostilely, to both the creators and
the supporters of the Bosnian Pyramids. Professional archaeologists,
with genuine concern for Bosnia’s heritage, have called the Bosnian
3\UDPLGVD³GDQJHUWR(XURSHDQ$UFKDHRORJ\´+DUGLQJ6RPEHU
FRQIHUHQFHVHVVLRQVDQGWDONVKDYHEHHQFDOOHGWRUHEXNHWKHSURMHFW
such as the Ficticious Pasts: A Danger for European Archaeology session
at the European Association of Archaeologists meeting in Malta in 2008.
Pleading media and academic reports have been published, criticisms
have been lodged in Bosnian television, and frustrated articles have
DSSHDUHGLQPDMRUSXEOLFDWLRQVOLNH$UFKDHRORJ\0DJD]LQH.DPSVFKURU
5RVHD5RVHE6FLHQFH0DJD]LQH%RKDQQRQD
%RKDQQRQ E %ULWLVK $UFKDHRORJ\ +DUGLQJ  'LVFRYHU
0DJD]LQH %RKDQQRQ  DQG 6PLWKVRQLDQ 0DJD]LQH :RRGDUG
 ²EXW WR QR DYDLO 7KH %RVQLDQ 3\UDPLG SURMHFW FRQWLQXHV WR
operate, and for a while it even received government funding despite
academic opposition in Bosnia.
Archaeologists are genuinely concerned about the implications
of allowing pseudoarchaeology to thrive. The Bosnian Pyramids team
is rewriting history with an invented past, and for many people in
Bosnia this has become a preferred account of history. Worse still,
the amateur team has undeniably destroyed genuine archaeological
material, plowing right through layers of history-rich stratigraphy, in
WKHLU TXHVW WR UHYHDO S\UDPLG µSURRIV¶ LQ WKH JURXQG EHGURFN 5RVH
E $UFKDHRORJLVWV OLNH 5LFKDUG &DUOWRQ DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI
1HZFDVWOH UHÀHFWV WKH GHVSDLULQJ DWWLWXGH RI PDQ\ DFDGHPLFV ZKHQ
KHVD\V³,KDYHQRLGHDZKDWWRGRRWKHUWKDQWRFRQWLQXHWRSUHVHQW
UHDVRQDEO\DUJXHGRSSRVLWLRQ´TWGLQ%RKDQQRQE
+RZHYHUDUFKDHRORJLVWVGHVSHUDWHO\WU\LQJWRµNQRFNVHQVH¶LQWR
the supportive Bosnian public have seemed unmindful of the heavy,
complex socio-politics that sustain the Bosnian Pyramids narrative.
It is a fact that the project has brought real economic change to
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

9LVRNR$ERRPLQJQHZWRXULVPLQGXVWU\KDVJLYHQQHZSXUSRVHWRD
SRVWZDUWRZQ5HSRUWHUVKDYHIRXQGORFDO9LVRNRUHVLGHQWVVD\LQJ³,I
WKH\GRQ¶W¿QGWKHS\UDPLGZH¶UHJRLQJWRPDNHLWGXULQJWKHQLJKW%XW
ZH¶UHQRWHYHQWKLQNLQJDERXWWKDW7KHUHDUHS\UDPLGVDQGWKHUHZLOO
EHS\UDPLGV´TWGLQ)RHUHPSKDVLVLQRULJLQDO2WKHUUHVLGHQWV
ZHUHTXRWHGDVVD\LQJ³³3OHDVH*RGOHWWKHP¿QGDS\UDPLG´>ZKLOH@
UXVKLQJ WR VHUYH FURZGHG WDEOHV´ TWG LQ 6LWR6XFLF  6XFK
public support does not arise from concern over what ‘is’ or ‘is not’
archaeology, but rather results from complex social processes: positive
impact on economics, social welfare, pride in the past and nationalism.
When people feel it necessary to pray for pyramids, when they have a
VWDNHLQPDNLQJVXUHWKHQRWLRQRIS\UDPLGVVXUYLYHVWKHQVRPHWKLQJ
OLNHWKH%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGVLVELJJHUWKDQVLPSOHIDFWRU¿FWLRQ

Where Do We Go From Here?

,Q VRPH ZD\V 6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü LV DUJXDEO\ KDYLQJ JUHDWHU
success than real archaeologists and scientists who are desperate to
UHFODLPIDFWXDOKLVWRU\LQ%RVQLD2VPDQDJLüKDVEURXJKWPRQH\PHGLD
LQWHUHVWSRVLWLYHIHHOLQJVIRUFXOWXUDOKHULWDJHDQGQDWLRQDOSULGHEDFN
to the country through his own ingenuity and design. However, it is also
DIDFWWKDWWKH%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGSURMHFWLVSVHXGRVFLHQFH2VPDQDJLü
and his team have constructed a theatre and performance of science
²DPDVVLQJ DFDGHPLF FUHGHQWLDOV DQG GUDZLQJ RQ WKH DXWKRULW\ RI
institutions, presenting and publishing technical reports, conducting
H[FDYDWLRQV DQG UHFRUGLQJ QXPEHUV RQ DUWHIDFW EDJV² EXW WKHLU
LQWHUSUHWDWLRQVEOXU¿FWLRQZLWKUHDOLW\7KLVPLJKWEHKDUPOHVVH[FHSW
that the pyramid project has already destroyed genuine archaeological
UHPDLQVLQ9LVRNRLQWKHLUSXUVXLWRIDQDOWHUQDWLYHSDVW
So far, archaeologists have tried to approach alternative history
OLNH WKH %RVQLDQ 3\UDPLGV LQ DW OHDVW WKUHH GLIIHUHQW ZD\V 2QH
DSSURDFKKDVEHHQWRVFRIIDQGUHEXNHSVHXGRVFLHQWL¿FEHKDYLRXU,Q
the early days of the Bosnian Pyramids case, this was a common gut
UHDFWLRQDVVKRFNHGDUFKDHRORJLVWVUHDOLVHGWKDWSXEOLFVXSSRUWZDVQRW
VXEVLGLQJEXWUDWKHUJURZLQJ+DUGLQJ$VHFRQGDSSURDFKWKDW
DUFKDHRORJLVWV KDYH WDNHQ KDV EHHQ WR VLPSO\ LJQRUH WKH DOWHUQDWLYH
archaeology and hope it goes away. Many professional archaeologists
LQ%RVQLDKDYHWDNHQWKLVOLQHIRUH[DPSOHDIWHULQLWLDOO\VSHDNLQJRXW
against the project but then receiving harsh reactions and even threats
from the public, many archaeologists from the National Museum at
6DUDMHYRKDYHGHFLGHGWRNHHSTXLHWDQGZDLWRXWWKHVWRUPIHHOLQJ
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

WKDW2VPDQDJLü¶VLQWHUSUHWDWLRQVZLOOQRWEHVXVWDLQDEOHLQWKHORQJUXQ
3UXLWW
A third approach, which is the most complex and multifaceted,
has been to actively engage with and study pseudoarchaeology so
that we can better understand why such cases persist. In the case of
WKH %RVQLDQ 3\UDPLGV D IHZ UHVHDUFKHUV OLNH P\VHOI KDYH DFWLYHO\
engaged with members of the project and with the public in the region,
WU\LQJ WR EHWWHU XQGHUVWDQG KRZ DOWHUQDWLYH KLVWRU\ OLNH WKH %RVQLDQ
3\UDPLGVFDQEHFRPHVRDFFHSWHGDQGLQÀXHQWLDOLQVXFKDVKRUWSHULRG
RI WLPH 3UXLWW   $QRWKHU H[DPSOH LV SURIHVVRU &RUQHOLXV
+ROWRUI¶VLQYLWDWLRQWR6HPLU2VPDQDJLüWRFRPHDQGVSHDNDW/LQQHDXV
8QLYHUVLW\ LQ 6ZHGHQ 7KLV HYHQW KDV WULJJHUHG D UHDFWLRQ IURP WKH
DUFKDHRORJLFDOFRPPXQLW\DQGLVWKHUHDVRQZHDUHWDONLQJDERXWWKH
Bosnian Pyramids today.
The questions around Holtorf’s invitation are complex. By inviting
6HPLU2VPDQDJLüWRVSHDNGLG+ROWRUIXQQHFHVVDULO\JLYH2VPDQDJLü
DSODWIRUPWRVSHDNDERXWKLVSURMHFWJLYLQJKLPIXWXUHOHYHUDJHDQG
LQÀXHQFHWRVXSSRUWKLVDOWHUQDWLYHFODLPV"%XWRQWKHRWKHUKDQGLI
we, as archaeologists, do not engage with alternative archaeologists
²LIZHGRQRWDFWLYHO\LQWHUDFWZLWKWKHPDQGXQGHUVWDQGZK\WKH\GR
WKHWKLQJVWKH\GR²KRZHOVHFDQZHXQGHUVWDQGZK\VXFKSURMHFWV
DFFXPXODWHVRPXFKLQÀXHQFH"
This journal issue opens up a much-needed debate in the
DUFKDHRORJLFDO SURIHVVLRQ ,W DOORZV XV WR DVN ZKHUH GR ZH JR IURP
here?

Figure 4.
6HPLU 2VPDQDJLF GXULQJ
a press release.
(Photo by Tera Pruitt)
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

5HVSRQVHV
-RKDQ1250$5.
2VPDQDJLüDQG0D\DQLVP

6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü KDV D SHULSKHUDO FRQQHFWLRQ WR WKH 

SKHQRPHQRQ ZKLFK UHODWHV WR WKH VXSSRVHG ³HQGGDWH´ RI WKH 0D\D
/RQJ&RXQWFDOHQGDURQ'HFHPEHUDFFRUGLQJWRWKHVRFDOOHG
*07FRUUHODWLRQ+HKDVZULWWHQDFRXSOHRIERRNVWKDWKDYHGHDOWZLWK
0D\DQLVPDSVHXGRVFLHQWL¿FDQG1HZ$JHYHUVLRQRIWKHDQFLHQW0D\D
RIZKLFKWKHSKHQRPHQRQLVDPDMRUSDUW+RRSHV,QWKH
FRQFOXVLRQRI2VPDQDJLü¶VERRN7KH:RUOGRIWKH0D\DKHVSHFXODWHV
WKDW³DVZHDSSURDFK'HFHPEHUDQGWKHHQGRIWKHVLJQL¿FDQW
5200-years cycle in the Mayan calendar, as well as the completion of
WKH ORQJHU F\FOH RI  \HDUV ZH VKRXOG DVN RXUVHOYHV DERXW WKH
changes foreseen by the Maya. Today’s age of transition and chaos
VSRNHQ RI LQ WKH ZLVGRP RI WKH 0D\D ZLOO EH UHSODFHG E\ ³WKH ZRUOG
RI WKH )LIWK 6XQ´´ 2VPDQDJLF  +H LV KHUH UHIHUULQJ WR WKH
$]WHF P\WK RI ¿YH FUHDWLRQV6XQV PL[HG ZLWK WKH 0D\D /RQJ &RXQW
FDOHQGDURI%DNWXQV\HDUVLQRUGHUWRUHDFKWKHOHQJWKRIWKH
precession of the equinoxes of almost 26,000 years when a supposed
alignment between the earth, the sun and the galactic center occurs on
WKHZLQWHUVROVWLFHRI-HQNLQV7KLVPL[WXUHRIP\WKVDQG
DVWURQRP\ LV FRPPRQ LQ WKH  SKHQRPHQRQ DQG 2VPDQDJLü KDV
made his own contribution by inventing pyramids in Bosnia through
what can best be described as terraforming.
Similar to other 2012ers, he is very eclectic and connects dots
WKDWFDQQRWEHFRQQHFWHGLQDQ\VFLHQWL¿FZD\+HZULWHVWKDW³0D\DLVD
NH\+LQGXSKLORVRSKLFDOWHUPPHDQLQJ³FUHDWLRQRIWKHZRUOG´DQG³WKH
ZRUOG RI LOOXVLRQ´ ,Q 6DQVNULW ³0D\D´ LV FRQQHFWHG ZLWK WKH FRQFHSWV
RI ³JUHDW´ ³PHDVXUH´ ´PLQG´ DQG ³PRWKHU´ )RU WKLV UHDVRQ LW PD\
not surprise us to learn that Maya was the name of Buddha’s mother.
The Veda tells us that Maya was the name of a great astronomer and
DUFKLWHFW ,Q (J\SWLDQ SKLORVRSK\ WKH WHUP 0D\D PHDQV ³XQLYHUVDO
ZRUOGRUGHU´,Q*UHHNP\WKRORJ\0D\DLVWKHEULJKWHVWRIWKHVHYHQ
stars of the Pleiades constellation. Mayab is also the name of the seat
RIWKH0D\DQFLYLOL]DWLRQWKH<XFDWDQSHQLQVXOD´2VPDQDJLF
:KDWZHKDYHKHUHLVDPL[WXUHRI+LQGX%XGGKLVW(J\SWLDQ*UHHN
and Maya words and concepts that ultimately are used to show that
the ancestors of the Maya actually were aliens and that they came
from the Pleiades.
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

 +HQFH WKH S\UDPLGV LQ WKH 0D\D DUHD DQG LQ %RVQLD DUH
believed to be part of a greater complex that originated from outer
VSDFH $FFRUGLQJ WR KLP ³WKH 0D\DQ KLHURJO\SKLFV WHOO XV WKDW WKHLU
DQFHVWRUVFDPHIURPWKH3OHLDGHV>«@¿UVWDUULYLQJDW$WODQWLVZKHUH
they created an advanced civilization. The building of temples in the
VKDSHRIS\UDPLGVHQDEOHGWKH0D\DWRREWDLQPRUHHQHUJ\>«@IURP
the interior of the Earth, because the pyramids were erected on energy
SRWHQW SRLQWV >«@ DQG IURP WKH FRVPRV EHFDXVH WKH HQHUJ\ FRPLQJ
from outside the Earth was maintained longer and was more intense in
WKHS\UDPLGV´2VPDQDJLF7KHUHIHUHQFHVWRWKH3OHLDGHV
PD\ VRXQG ³LQQRFHQW´ +RZHYHU WKH ³3OHLDGHDQV´ DUH PRUH RU OHVV
³$U\DQV´IURPRXWHUVSDFH7KH\DUHGHVFULEHGDVZKLWHVNLQQHGEOXH
H\HGEORQGDQG³SK\VLFDOO\DWWUDFWLYH´LQOLWHUDWXUHDERXWDOWHUQDWLYH
KLVWRU\DQGJDODFWLFLQÀXHQFHV$WODQWLVRUWKH3OHLDGHVDUHVLPSO\QHZ
versions of diffusionism, which is the dominant explanation for cultural
VLPLODULWLHVZLWKLQ0D\DQLVP7KHDOLHQVKDYHWDNHQRQWKH³ZKLWHPDQ¶V
burden” to spread civilization.
 2VPDQDJLü¶V ³GLVVHUWDWLRQ WKHVLV´ 1RQWHFKQRORJLFDO &LYLOL]DWLRQ
RI0D\DVYHUVXV0RGHUQ7HFKQRORJLFDO&LYLOL]DWLRQVELVEDVLFDOO\
a reproduced and partly expanded version of The World of the Maya.
+HPXVWKDYHEHHQDVNHGWRDGGVRPHVRFLRORJLFDOOLWHUDWXUHLQRUGHU
WR JHW KLV GHJUHH $FFRUGLQJ WR 2VPDQDJLü KLPVHOI WKH WKHVLV LV ³D
QRYHOW\LQUHJDUGVWRWKHRI¿FLDODQGVDQFWLRQHGNQRZOHGJHDERXWWKH
Maya culture”. One of these supposedly sanctioned facts is that the
0D\D ZHUH D ³1HROLWKLF FXOWXUH´ 1R FRQWHPSRUDU\ DFDGHPLF VFKRODU
claims this. The Neolithic is a time period based upon the prevalence
of stone tools and an agricultural and sedentary life-style in Europe.
,WQRORQJHULPSOLHVDFHUWDLQ³FXOWXUDOVWDJH´WKURXJKRXWWKHZRUOGDV
Osmanagic believes.
 :LWKRXW DQ\ DUFKDHRORJLFDO VXSSRUW 2VPDQDJLü GHQLHV WKH
existence of the Maya after the 10th century AD. This goes against the
massive amount of archaeological, ethnohistorical, and linguistic data
WKDWZHGRKDYH7RGD\URXJKO\PLOOLRQSHRSOHVSHDNVHYHUDO0D\D
languages.
 2VPDQDJLüPDNHVXVHRIDYRFDEXODU\WKDWLQLWVHOILQGLFDWHVWKDW
he has not studied the Maya in any great detail. Only if one has a limited
YLHZRIDFRPSOH[VFHQDULRFDQRQHFODLPWKDWWKHUHDUH³LQGLVSXWDEOH
H[DPSOHV´ZKHUH³VFLHQWL¿FHYLGHQFHVSHDNVIRULWVHOI´6XFKDQH[DPSOH
LVKLVFODLPWKDWWKH0D\DKDGDTXDUW]VNXOOWHFKQRORJ\7KHVHVNXOOV
are far from indisputable examples. The quartz heads were made in
*HUPDQ\GXULQJWKHWKFHQWXU\QRWE\DQFLHQWDOLHQV
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

 +LV¿QDO³DQDO\VLV´LQKLVWKHVLVFRQVLVWVRIDFRPSDULVRQEHWZHHQ
WKH 0D\D DQG WKH ³:HVW´ 7KH FRPSDULVRQ HPSKDVL]HV ³DFKLHYHG
OHYHOV RI NQRZOHGJH´ SDUDPHWHUV DSSDUHQWO\ GHSHQGHQW XSRQ ZKDW
2VPDQDJLüKLPVHOI¿QGVWREHLPSRUWDQW)LUVWWKHUHLVDVHWRISULPDU\
comparative parameters such as civilizing goals, wisdom, love as a
PRGHORIEHKDYLRUKDUPRQ\ZLWKQDWXUHVSLULWXDOLW\DQGDUW7KLV
is followed by several parameters related to territory. His goal is to
compare the Maya and the West by determining if they had or have
reached the desired level of civilization, were or are on the path to the
desired level of civilization, or if they are or were on the negative level
of civilization. This teleological view of cultural evolution is not exactly
DW WKH FXWWLQJ HGJH RI VRFLDO VFLHQFH 2QH ZRQGHUV KRZ 2VPDQDJLü
UHFHLYHGD3K'IRUWKLV³WKHVLV´ZKLFKKDVDVFLHQWL¿FTXDOLW\ORZHUWKDQ
most BA-theses.

/RUQD5,&+$5'621
&RPPHQWRQ2VPDQDJLü¶VYLVLW

2VPDQDJLü¶V YLVLW WR WKH /LQQHDXV 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ  KLJKOLJKWV

some of the many contradictions facing those of us engaged in research
LQWKH¿HOGRI3XEOLF$UFKDHRORJ\7KHGLI¿FXOW\RIFRQFHSWXDOLVDWLRQRI
3XEOLF$UFKDHRORJ\KDVWHQGHGWRVWDJQDWHDURXQGLVVXHVRIGH¿QLWLRQ
DQGDSSOLFDWLRQ7KHµRXWUHDFK¶DSSURDFKQHHGVWKHTXDOL¿HGUHVSHFWHG
DQGVFLHQWL¿FH[SHUWYRLFHWRFRPPXQLFDWHDUFKDHRORJLFDOLQIRUPDWLRQ
to non-archaeologists. Final authority resides with the professional
DUFKDHRORJLVWZKRLQSRVVHVVLRQRINQRZOHGJHGRPLQDQFHFDQDFWDV
JDWHNHHSHU EHWZHHQ DUFKDHRORJLFDO NQRZOHGJH GDWD DQG UHVRXUFHV
and the general, non-archaeological, public. The ‘multi-vocal’ approach,
LQFRQWUDVWDFNQRZOHGJHVWKHGLIIHUHQFHVLQWKHLQWHUDFWLRQVEHWZHHQ
humans and material culture, and the subjectivity involved in these
differing interactions between material culture, groups and individuals
that is both historically situated and in the present. This critical
DSSURDFK¿UPO\HPSKDVLVHVWKHLPSRUWDQFHRIZLGHUGLVFRXUVHEHWZHHQ
the socio-economically and politically marginalised and archaeological
NQRZOHGJHDQGUHVRXUFHVDVSDUWRIWKHDFKLHYHPHQWRIZLGHUFXOWXUDO
meaning. This is the approach that Holtorf, and myself, amongst many
other Public Archaeology researchers worldwide, have adopted.
&RSHODQGDQG6PLWKHPSKDVLVHWKHQHHGIRU
and ethical responsibility of, archaeologists involved in the presentation
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

RIWKHLUZRUNLQWKHSXEOLFUHDOPWRXQGHUVWDQGUHVSHFWDQGYDOXHWKH
interpretations of the past by non-professionals, without the imposition
of ‘correct’ interpretational methods. Archaeology is also a subject that
is in a constant process of negotiating dialogue with itself, and the
past. The gathering, processing and re-examination of old and new
GDWDPHDQVWKDWDVDUFKDHRORJLVWVZHFDQQRWKRQHVWO\FODLPWRNQRZ
WKH ¿QDO µWUXWKV¶ DERXW KXPDQ SDVWV 7KHUHIRUH 3XEOLF $UFKDHRORJ\
as a discipline examines the relationship between these past human
activities and contemporary society. It critiques the process and
PHDQVWKURXJKZKLFKWKHDUFKDHRORJLFDOVHFWRULQÀXHQFHVIDFLOLWDWHV
limits and exposes the relationships between the past, present and
future. It must be politically engaged to understand the creation and
application of associated theory and the examination and analysis of
Public Archaeology in practice. The conceptual and ethical paradigm
of Public Archaeology is, therefore, the renegotiation of power and
control through communication, dialogue and participation between
archaeological professionals and non-professional members of the
general public.
6HPLU³6DP´2VPDQDJLüLVDFKDUODWDQDQGDZHDOWK\DQGSRZHUIXO
RQH DW WKDW  +LV DSSDUHQWO\ YDOLG GRFWRUDWH IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI
6DUDMHYRDQGWKH%RVQLDQ*RYHUQPHQW¶VDSSURYDODQG¿QDQFLDOVXSSRUW
RIWKHZRUNRIWKHµ%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ)RXQGDWLRQ¶KDYHDOUHDG\
OHQWKLPOHJLWLPDF\LQKLVKRPHODQG7KH¿QDQFLDOVLWXDWLRQIRUFXOWXUDO
heritage in Bosnia is desperate, with museums closed, staff unpaid
and the National Museum about to have its electricity cut off due to
XQSDLGELOOV%%&ZHEVLWH6XSSRUWIRUSVHXGRDUFKDHRORJ\LQ
the face of this cultural crisis is disastrous. Why is it acceptable to offer
a platform to a man who is so clearly deluded and dangerously wrong?
Is it right for a respected Swedish institution to concern themselves
ZLWK VRPHRQH ZKR ZLOO RQ SDVW UHFRUG PLON WKDW DVVRFLDWLRQ WR LWV
ODVWGURS"6KRXOGIXQGLQJEHPDGHDYDLODEOHWRVXSSRUWWKLVNLQGRI
‘sociological’ research, when archaeological funding is so scarce? Or
GRHV+ROWRUIE\QRWLQYLWLQJ2VPDQDJLüDQGKLVLONLQWRWKHZLGHUGHEDWH
VLPSO\ FRQ¿UP SXEOLF SHUFHSWLRQV RI DFDGHPLF HOLWLVP DQG FUHDWH D
VHOIIXO¿OOLQJSURSKHF\IRUFRQVSLUDF\WKHRULVWV"
Archaeology contains deep intra-disciplinary divisions alongside
VRFLDO VWUDWL¿FDWLRQ DQG DV +HQVRQ   KDV DUJXHG LW LV D
SRURXV VXEMHFW ZLWK D ZLGH YDULHW\ RI GLVFLSOLQDU\ µOHDNDJH¶ DORQJ
WKHHGJHVZRUNLQJZLWKWKHRU\DQGSUDFWLFHIURPGLVFLSOLQHVVXFKDV
sociology, anthropology, forensic science, geography and geology,
amongst others. The emphasis within this elitist discipline is, as Henson
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

LQWHUSUHWV LW ³RQ H[FOXVLYH ULJKWV WR YDOLGDWH FRQVHUYH DQG VWXG\
the archaeological resource´ LELG   3XEOLF $UFKDHRORJ\ LV SDUW
of this porous subject. Its role is to question the dominant position
RI WKH KHULWDJH SURIHVVLRQDO DQG WR VKLQH D OLJKW LQ WKH GDUN FRUQHUV
of both archaeology and its pseudo-archaeology, which can be an
XQFRPIRUWDEOHEXVLQHVVIRUWKRVHLQWKHWUDGHV:KHQDUFKDHRORJ\RU
SVHXGRDUFKDHRORJ\LVXVHGWRFUHDWHFRQFHSWXDOQDUUDWLYHVWKDWDUHQRW
sanctioned by the profession, it meets understandable hostility, anger
and condemnation from professional archaeologists. But we, as Public
Archaeologists, want to understand how ‘expert-amateur’ discourse
is constructed and legitimised, how we regulate, maintain and assert
authority over wider archaeological narratives, indeed, how the impact
of heritage tourism can develop and sustain nations and communities
with entrenched poverty and mass unemployment. A conversation is
XQDYRLGDEOH ± OHW¶V DW OHDVW WDNH WKDW FRQYHUVDWLRQ RXW RI 7ZLWWHU RII
the comments thread, down from the blog, and out of the pages of
WKHREVFXUHPLQGERG\VSLULWPDJD]LQH/HW¶VDLUWKLVFRQYHUVDWLRQLQD
public arena, face-to-face. To understand these issues, we have to get
our hands dirty.

Beatriz COMENDADOR REY

&RPPHQWWR2VPDQDJLü¶VFRQIHUHQFH

,IZHFDVWRXUH\HRYHUWKHVRFLDOVXFFHVVRI6HPLU2VPDJDQLü¶V
pyromania, we can identify the following features:
‡7REHJLQZLWKKHKDVFUHDWHGKLVRZQFKDUDFWHU+HLQWURGXFHV
himself as Houston’s answer to Indiana Jones, searching for the
*UHDW %RVQLDQ 9DOOH\ RI WKH 3\UDPLGV +H LV WKH JUHDW %RVQLDQ
KHUR ³DOO %RVQLD ORYHV \RX´ KH LV WROG +H SRUWUD\V D W\SLFDO
charismatic role.
‡+HSURMHFWVKLPVHOIDVUHYHDOLQJWRWKHZRUOGZKDWRI¿FLDOVFLHQFH
refuses to recognise: that Bosnia was the cradle of the oldest
of the ancient high civilizations, with the greatest technological
achievements. He presents a glorious past for Bosnia, stressing
time and again the unique nature of the Moon Pyramid, a world
OHDGHU  ³WKH ELJJHVW LQ WKH ZRUOG´ ³WKH KLJKHVW S\UDPLG HYHU
built”.
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 40

‡+HXVHVWKHPHGLDWRFRQYHUWWKHS\UDPLGVHWLQWRVLPXOWDQHRXVO\
a mass phenomenon and a collective business.
‡7KH %RVQLDQV DUH SUHVHQWHG DV WKH KHLUV RI WKLV ³FRQVWUXFWHG
heritage.” This past represents them in the present, becoming an
element of identity. The denial of this past implies the denial of the
role of Bosnia in the global stage, a national minimalisation.
‡7KH GHQLDO DQG UDGLFDO RSSRVLWLRQ RI RI¿FLDO VFLHQFH GLVPLVVLQJ
KLPDVDQ³DPDWHXUVZDVKEXFNOHUGUHDPHU´LVFRXQWHUSURGXFWLYH
With even more rejection and denial, and the absence of dialogue,
Osmaganic’s popularity increases.
‡&XUUHQWO\GLYHUVH¿QDQFLDOLQWHUHVWVXQGHUOLHWKHSKHQRPHQRQ
ZKLFK KDV DWWUDFWHG PDVV WRXULVP WR 9LVRNR DQG JHQHUDWHG
merchandising.
The following two passages from a video on this topic are
enlightening:

KWWS\RXWXEH8V]Y-\$1QF*Need latest Acrobat to watch

Why on earth in Bosnia? Because we deserve it...
,QWKHHQGWKRVHVWRQHVDUHLQWHUHVWLQJ3HRSOHEHOLHYHLQ
God and no one has ever seen Him. Here we have three or four
stones placed together. Why not believe in the pyramids?! If
6HPLUVD\VVR
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 41

, ZRXOG DVN 0U 2VPDJDQLü ZKDW WKH REMHFWLYHV RI KLV UHVHDUFK
DUHIURPDKLVWRULFDODQGDVRFLDOSHUVSHFWLYH,EHOLHYHWKDWWKHNH\
factor is his own personal gain, although I imagine that the feeling of
being a national hero is also far from unwelcome.
'LYHUVH³SDVWV´FRH[LVWMXVWDV³GLYHUVH´DUFKDHRORJLHVGR
%HFDXVH,VDUFKDHRORJ\ZKLFKODFNVLPSDFWRIVRFLDOLQWHUHVW"+DV
³RI¿FLDO´DUFKDHRORJ\HYHUIXO¿OOHGDQ\RIWKHVRFLDODQGHFRQRPLFIXQFWLRQV
RI³2UJDVPDQLüDUFKDHRORJ\´":KDWLV³RI¿FLDO´DUFKDHRORJ\IRU"
Cornelius Holtorf’s proposal seems to me not only appropriate, but
DOVRQHFHVVDU\DQGEUDYH/RRNLQJWKHRWKHUZD\GRHVQRWVWRS³RWKHU
DUFKDHRORJLHV´H[LVWLQJ,QYLWLQJD³SVHXGRVFLHQWLVW´WRDQDUFKDHRORJ\
forum, with the objectives of social analysis which have been presented,
allows a direct and unmanipulated dialogue.

*HRII&$59(5
%H\RQGEHOLHI0DNLQJPRXQWDLQVRXWRIPROHKLOOVRUS\UDPLGVRXWRI«

:KHQ,VDZ&RUQHOLXV¶VSRVWRQ)DFHERRNP\¿UVWUHDFWLRQZDVWR
FRQWUDVWWKLVDSSURDFKWRWKDWWDNHQE\'HERUDK/LSVWDGWZKHQLQYLWHG
WR³GHEDWH³+RORFDXVW'HQLHUVRUE\SHRSOHOLNH5LFKDUG'DZNLQVZKHQ
LQYLWHG WR ³GHEDWH´ ³6FLHQWL¿F &UHDWLRQLVP´ QRZ FDOOHG ³,QWHOOLJHQW
'HVLJQ´HWF7KH\MXVWGRQRWGRLW
2Q WKH RQH KDQG D SXEOLF VWDJH ± ZKHUH UKHWRULFDO WULFNV DQG
emotion can often win out over reason, facts and the complex arguments
WKDWFRQVWLWXWH³SURRI´LQVFLHQFH±LVQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHEHVWSODFHWR
GHEDWHVHULRXVLVVXHV2QHRQO\QHHGVWRWKLQNRIWKHODUJHQXPEHURI
false convictions in any justice system. Science should not be a circus,
or a popularity contest.
/LSVWDGWDQG'DZNLQVDOVRDUJXHWKDWWKHUHUHDOO\LVQRWDQ\WKLQJWR
GHEDWH,Q&RUQHOLXV¶VGHIHQFHLWLVZRUWKHPSKDVLVLQJWKDW2VPDQDJLü
ZDV QRW LQYLWHG WR HLWKHU SUHVHQW RU ³GHEDWH´ KLV ³S\UDPLGV´ %XW LQ
VRPHVHQVHLWGRHVQRWUHDOO\PDWWHUZKDWKHVSHDNVDERXW+HFRXOG
show slides of his last vacation, for all it matters, because he could go
away and use the fact of the event – the fact that he had been invited
to address academic archaeologists in another country – as providing
proof that he is respected by his peers and has a standing within the
DFDGHPLFFRPPXQLW\LHVFKRODUO\VXSSRUWIRUKLVYLHZVYHQLYHGL
vici.
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 42

So my response was based on an assumption that – no matter

ZKDW WKH UHDVRQV ZKDWHYHU WKH UHVXOWV ± 2VPDQDJLü ZRXOG XVH WKH
attention to his advantage. It would be naïve on Cornelius’s part to
WKLQN RWKHUZLVH QRW WR UHDOLVH WKDW 2VPDQDJLü ZRXOG JR WR .DOPDU
VSHDN JR KRPH DQG WKHQ QRW XVH WKLV WR KLV DGYDQWDJH VRPHKRZ
7KLV PD\ EH XQIDLU RQ P\ SDUW ± D UHÀHFWLRQ RI P\ RZQ SUHMXGLFH
DJDLQVW DQ\WKLQJ WKDW VPDFNV RI SVHXGRVFLHQFH ± EXW LW PLJKW DOVR
EHDIDLULQIHUHQFHEDVHGRQ2VPDQDJLü¶VUHFRUG7KRVHKHKDVGXSHG
E\WDNLQJWKHLUVWDWHPHQWVRXWRIFRQWH[WLQFOXGH=DKL+DZDVVZKLFK
LV VRPHZKDW LURQLF JLYHQ KLV SROLWLFDO DFXPHQ 6LQFH (]UD =XEURZ
a mutual acquaintance of Cornelius and myself, suffered the same
WUHDWPHQWLWLVQRWDVWKRXJK&RUQHOLXVVKRXOGQRWNQRZEHWWHU
Some may try to frame this as an issue of free speech. This is a false
DQDORJ\1RRQHLVGHQ\LQJ2VPDQDJLüWKHULJKWWRDLUKLVYLHZV+HKDV
DZHEVLWHDQGKHSXEOLVKHVKLVRZQZRUN6RIDUDV,NQRZQRRQHKDV
VWRSSHGKLPIURPSXEOLVKLQJLQHVWDEOLVKHGMRXUQDOVDVVXPLQJKHFDQ
SDVVWKHSHHUUHYLHZSURFHVV7KDWGRHVQRWPHDQWKDWDUFKDHRORJLVWV
DUHXQGHUDQ\REOLJDWLRQWRJLYHKLPDSODWIRUPMXVWDV2VPDQDJLüLV
under no obligation to return the favour if we do. I may be cynical, but
I somehow do not expect he will convene an international conference
any time soon, or open his site up to international oversight. This
ZRXOGEHWKHVFLHQWL¿FDSSURDFKRIFRXUVHEXW,GRQRWH[SHFWLWWR
happen.
$QG LQ D ZD\ PD\EH LVVXHV VXFK DV ³IDLUQHVV´ DQG KDYLQJ ZHOO
PHDQLQJDQGZHOOLQWHQWLRQHGSHRSOHWDONDERXW2VPDQDJLü¶VULJKWWR
free speech are what annoy me, because there is that sort of naïve
belief that if we play fair with him, he will play fair with us, or that the
truth will all out in the end, etc. But that belief seems to be based on
DQDVVXPSWLRQWKDW2VPDQDJLüLVLQWHUHVWHGLQDGLDORJXHWKDWKHLV
playing the same game, by the same rules. It may even be that any
SUHVV ± KRZHYHU QHJDWLYH ± WKDW GUDZV DWWHQWLRQ WR 2VPDQDJLü ZLOO
VLPSO\PDNHKLPVWURQJHULQWKHH\HVRIKLVIDLWKIXOIROORZHUVDQGKLV
¿QDQFLDOEDFNHUV
,Q WKDW VHQVH SHUKDSV LW LV ZRUWK DVNLQJ ZK\ &RUQHOLXV FRXUWV
FRQWURYHUV\E\LQYLWLQJVRPHRQHOLNH2VPDQDJLüWRSUHVHQWKLVYLHZV"
So maybe the problem is that some archaeologists are too honest,
too trusting, too optimistic and naïve. After all, it is only relatively
recently that we have started to become more serious and effective in
using the press to our own advantage. Every large excavation seems
WRKDYHDSUHVVUHOHDVHOLQNHGWRWKHSXEOLFDWLRQRIVLJQL¿FDQWUHVXOWV
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

for example. But that does not mean we are able to go up against
big investors who still reap a lot of political support by claiming that
ZH DUH KLQGHULQJ SURJUHVV RU EORFNLQJ MRE FUHDWLRQ $QG ZH VWLOO GR
QRWHDUQDQ\ZKHUHQHDUDVPXFKDWWHQWLRQDVWKHYRQ'lQLNHQV'DQ
%URZQV ,QGLDQD -RQHVHV DQG RWKHUV RI WKHLU LON ZKR FDSLWDOL]H RQ
PLVUHSUHVHQWDWLRQVGHULYHGIURPRXUZRUN
7R VRPH GHJUHH , ZRXOG OLNH WR IUDPH WKLV GLVFXVVLRQ LQ WHUPV
RI QDLYHW\ RQ WKH SDUW RI VRPH RI RXU SRVWPRGHUQSRVWSURFHVVXDO
colleagues. It Could be argued to what degree they represent academic
navel-gazing, a clear manifestation of ivory tower elites out-of-touch
with the real world, playing games with relativism and so on. Whereas
ZH F\QLFV RXW KHUH LQ ³WKH UHDO ZRUOG´ ZH KDYH WR GHDO ZLWK VXFK
pressing issues as budgets and timetables and database design, or
QHJRWLDWLRQVZLWKFRPSDQLHVDQGHYHQVWDWHVHUYLFHVWKDWÀDXQWKHDOWK
and safety regulations because they can: the regulatory agencies are
not interested in protecting – and no one wants to stir up trouble for –
just a few archaeologists.
$QG,¿JXUHWKDWQRWKLQJLVJRLQJWRFKDQJHDUFKDHRORJLVWVZLOO
DOZD\VEHZHDNVRORQJDVZHIDLOWROHDUQIURPWKHSDVWRUQDLYHO\
EHOLHYHWKDWWKH2VPDQDJLüVRIWKLVZRUOGDUHLQWHUHVWHGLQSDUWLFLSDWLQJ
LQ D GLDORJXH , ¿QG WKLV HVSHFLDOO\ GHSUHVVLQJ DQG LURQLF JLYHQ WKDW
³OHDUQLQJIURPWKHSDVW´LVVXSSRVHGWREHRQHRIWKHUHDVRQVIRUGRLQJ
archaeology or for studying history. Yet, despite such clear examples as
the many conferences which have examined archaeology and politics
E\ORRNLQJDWDUFKDHRORJ\LQWKHUG5HLFKZHVWLOOGRQRWVHHPWRKDYH
OHDUQHG VRPH RI WKH EDVLF OHVVRQV DERXW 5HDOSROLWLN DQG WKH PHGLD
and how easy it is to manipulate the well-intentioned who fail – or
UHIXVH±WRWDNHDVWDQGRUGUDZDOLQHLQWKHVDQG
The history of archaeology shows a general move away from
being a hobby enjoyed by a small elite towards attempting to be a
serious science. The fact that we are not there yet is highlighted by the
fact that archaeology continues to be under-funded, and developers
FDQ FRQWLQXH WR JHW DZD\ ZLWK ÀDXQWLQJ QRW RQO\ KHDOWK DQG VDIHW\
legislation but also laws intended to protect heritage. In that context,
JLYLQJ D SODWIRUP WR VRPHRQH OLNH 2VPDQDJLü WR VWDUW WDONLQJ DERXW
%RVQLDQ S\UDPLGV RU (ULF YRQ 'lQLNHQ RU WKH ODWH %DUU\ )HOO RU
VRPHRQHUHJXUJLWDWLQJ.RVVLQD¶VPRUHUDFLVWWKHRULHVHWFUHSUHVHQWV
DJUHDWOHDSEDFNZDUGV
Obviously there is a role for the public in archaeology, and obviously
science thrives on discourse and informed, critical debate. But that
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 44

does not mean that all opinions are equally valid, or that we need to
JLYH WKHP DOO HTXDO DLUWLPH 7KLQN DERXW ZKHWKHU \RX ZRXOG UDWKHU
receive heart surgery from a surgeon or a plumber, for example; or
whether you want to elect a pilot form amongst the passengers next
WLPH\RXÀ\VRPHZKHUH
Before archaeologists can attain the professional status of heart
surgeons or airline pilots, we need to be serious and present a more
XQL¿HGIDFHWRWKHSXEOLF2WKHUZLVH,DPZRUULHGWKDWWKHQH[WWLPH
, WU\ WR DUJXH WKDW P\ ZRUNHUV QHHG WR KDYH ZDWHU RQ VLWH VR WKDW
after digging through mediaeval latrines all morning, they can at least
ZDVKWKHLUKDQGVEHIRUHOXQFKWKHLQYHVWRUZLOOWXUQDURXQGDQGFODLP
RXUZRUNLVQRWVHULRXVEHFDXVHZHVSHQGDOORXUWLPHGLVFXVVLQJVXFK
QRQLVVXHVDVWKH3\UDPLGVLQ%RVQLDRUWKDWWKLVÀLQWVFDWWHURUWKDW
bronze age burial mound or late stone age settlement is nowhere near
DVLPSRUWDQWDV«WKH3\UDPLGVLQ%RVQLD

$¿QDOUHVSRQVH

&RUQHOLXV+2/725)DQG-DFRE+,/721
Learning about the past from the Bosnian pyramids?

6HPLU 2VPDQDJLü¶V SXEOLF OHFWXUH DW /LQQDHXV 8QLYHUVLW\ RQ 

2FWREHU  ZDV QR ELJ HYHQW DOWKRXJK RQH RI XV +ROWRUI KDG
DQQRXQFHG LW WKURXJK DOO FKDQQHOV DYDLODEOH WKURXJK WKH 8QLYHUVLW\
and the local radio station had reported about it a few days in advance.
7KH OHFWXUH ZDV VLPXOWDQHRXVO\ EURDGFDVW WR WKH 8QLYHUVLW\¶V VHFRQG
FDPSXV DW 9l[M| EXW QRW UHFRUGHG DQG WKHUH ZHUH RQO\ DERXW 
LQ WKH DXGLHQFH DW .DOPDU DQG DQRWKHU  DW 9l[M| 0D\EH WKLV ORZ
attendance was one reason why the controversy on the internet that
KDG HQVXHG LQ DGYDQFH RI WKH OHFWXUH DQG ZKLFK LV UHÀHFWHG LQ WKH
SUHVHQWGLVFXVVLRQZDVQRWPDWFKHGZLWKLQWKH8QLYHUVLW\HLWKHUEHIRUH
RUDIWHUWKHHYHQW,QGHHGQRWDOORIWKHFROOHDJXHVDWWKH8QLYHUVLW\
WKRXJKWLWKDGEHHQDJRRGLGHDWRLQYLWH2VPDQDJLüWRVSHDNDWDOO
Two days after the lecture, a letter to the editor appeared in
Barometern, a local newspaper, in which the author criticized the
8QLYHUVLW\IRUDOORZLQJWKHOHFWXUHWRKDSSHQ:HFKRVHQRWWRUHVSRQG
DQGWKHUHZDVQRVXEVHTXHQWGHEDWHZHNQRZRIHLWKHUZLWKLQRURXWVLGH
WKH8QLYHUVLW\+RZHYHUWKHGHEDWHLVDQLPSRUWDQWRQHLIFRQGXFWHGLQ
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 45

an open-minded academic fashion, and that is why we were more than

happy to promote and contribute to the present exchange of views in
this international journal.
An interesting question to consider initially is why was there not
PRUH LQWHUHVW LQ WKH OHFWXUH" 2VPDQDJLü DQG WKH %RVQLDQ S\UDPLGV
have in recent years been something of an international media
phenomenon, yet it appeared that in Sweden few current students and
generally few non-archaeologists had ever heard of the controversy
around these astonishing revelations from Bosnia. On the same trip
WR 6ZHGHQ 2VPDQDJLü KDG HYHQ OLQHG XS D QXPEHU RI RWKHU SXEOLF
lectures in connection with the local Bosnian communities, and among
WKHVH DXGLHQFHV SHUKDSV XQGHUVWDQGDEO\ KLV ZRUN DSSHDUV WR KDYH
attracted bigger attention.
 :KLOH 2VPDQDJLü FDPH WR /LQQDHXV 8QLYHUVLW\ WR VSHDN DERXW
the Bosnian pyramids and to persuade the students of their merit, the
8QLYHUVLW\KDGRWKHUUHDVRQVIRUH[WHQGLQJWKHLQYLWDWLRQ7KHDLPRI
the lecture was to investigate the role of alternative archaeologies and
invented heritage. When a project such as this one has garnered such a
wide response of criticism and support from all over the world despite the
evidence against it, it is worthwhile to consider how it can be sustained.
6HPLU2VPDQDJLüZDVLQYLWHGWR/LQQDHXV8QLYHUVLW\QRWLQVXSSRUWRI
KLVFODLPVEXWDVDQRSSRUWXQLW\IRUWKHVWXGHQWVRIDUFKDHRORJ\RU
LQGHHGRWKHUGLVFLSOLQHVWREHFRQIURQWHGZLWKDOWHUQDWLYHGLVFRXUVHV
and practices that do not follow all existing academic conventions. It
was a chance for them to engage and to communicate with somebody
VRGLVFUHGLWHGDQG\HWVRLQÀXHQWLDO,WZDVDQRSSRUWXQLW\WRH[SORUH
one particular aspect of the relationship between archaeology, cultural
KHULWDJHFRQWHPSRUDU\VRFLHW\DQGWKHLULQÀXHQFHXSRQRQHDQRWKHU
While it may be bad science, there may be something to learn from
6HPLU2VPDQDJLüLIRQO\KLVVXFFHVVLQLQYROYLQJWKHSXEOLF
 7KHOHFWXUHZKLFK2VPDQDJLüSUHVHQWHGDW.DOPDUDSSHDUHGWR
be his standard one. It consisted of the astonishing number of 201
PowerPoint slides. After more than an hour of presentation, when
he was gently reminded to come to the end, it became clear that
he had believed that the entire two-hour slot was for him to present
DGPLWWHGO\+ROWRUIKDGIDLOHGWRUHPLQGKLPRIWKHFXVWRPDU\VFKHGXOH
IRUHYHQWVOLNHWKLVLQFOXGLQJWLPHIRUERWKSUHVHQWDWLRQDQGGLVFXVVLRQ
+HPDQDJHGKRZHYHUWRÀLFNWKURXJKWKHUHPDLQLQJVOLGHVUHODWLYHO\
TXLFNO\DQGWKHUHZDVVWLOOVRPHWLPHIRUGLVFXVVLRQDWWKHHQG
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 46

 'XULQJ WKH KRXU DQG D KDOI SUHVHQWDWLRQ 2VPDQDJLü VSHQW D

VLJQL¿FDQWDPRXQWRIWLPHGLVFXVVLQJRWKHUS\UDPLGVDURXQGWKHZRUOG
rather than the ones he claims to have discovered. In fact, his lecture
was largely a criticism against the current academic understanding of
the history of the pyramids, their construction, their structural aspects
and their meaning and function.
The lecture followed in some way a narrative which the infamous
DOWHUQDWLYHDUFKDHRORJLVWDQGZULWHU(ULFKYRQ'lQLNHQPD\KDYHFKRVHQ
DVZHOO2VPDQDJLüVWDUWHGLQWURGXFLQJYDULRXVNLQGVRIS\UDPLGVDURXQG
WKHZRUOGVRPHEHLQJZHOONQRZQVXFKDVWKRVHLQ(J\SWDQG0H[LFR
+HFODLPHGWKDWWKHFRQYHQWLRQDONQRZOHGJHH[SODLQLQJS\UDPLGVZDV
ZURQJ DQG WKDW D ³SDUDGLJP VKLIW´ ZDV RFFXUULQJ WKDW FRQWUDGLFWHG
much of what the mainstream scientists had been arguing thus far. The
huge stones of which pyramids have been built, and the sophisticated
RYHUDOOGHVLJQDQGDUFKLWHFWXUHKHDUJXHGFDQQRWKDYHEHHQWKHZRUN
of ancient Egyptians or any other ancient people. He pointed to certain
contradictions that he had noticed, for example how the Egyptian
pyramids could have been built by the pharaohs as their monumental
EXULDOVLWHVZKHQLQIDFWWKH\GLGQRWFRQWDLQWKHLUPXPPL¿HGFRUSVHV
or that ceramics found in the step pyramid of Saqqara was dated to
5,700 years ago which predates the conventionally assumed date
RI FRQVWUXFWLRQ E\ DSSUR[LPDWHO\ RQH WKRXVDQG \HDUV 2VPDQDJLü
concluded that we are still at square one in explaining the pyramids,
even though Egyptologists have been around for nearly two hundred
\HDUV ,Q KLV YLHZ WKH (J\SWLDQ S\UDPLGV KDG ³QRWKLQJ WR GR ZLWK
pharaohs”.
 2VPDQDJLü WKHQ ZHQW RQ D WRXUGHIRUFH DURXQG WKH JOREH
GLVFXVVLQJ S\UDPLGV VRPH EHLQJ QRW ZLGHO\ NQRZQ DW DOO LQFOXGLQJ
WKRVH RQ 7HQHULIH DQG 0DXULWLXV LQ &DPERGLD .RUHD 7DKLWL &KLQD
86$ %ROLYLD 3HUX 0H[LFR DQG %HOL]H $V KLV PDQ\ SLFWXUHV DQG
anecdotes made plain, he had travelled to many if not all of these
places himself – very much in the style of an explorer entering new
WHUULWRU\7KDWWHUULWRU\LVQHZLQGHHG$V2VPDQDJLüSRLQWHGRXWPDQ\
RIWKHS\UDPLGVKHGLVFXVVHG\RXQHYHUUHDGDERXWLQWKHKLVWRU\ERRNV
RUOHDUQDERXWLQVFKRRODVWKH\DUHQRWHYHQDOOIXOO\DFNQRZOHGJHG
E\ WKH UHOHYDQW VWDWH DXWKRULWLHV IRU KHULWDJH %XW DV 2VPDQDJLü
SXW LW LQ DSDUWLFXODUO\PHPRUDEOHUKHWRULFDOTXHVWLRQ³:KRPGRZH
WUXVW²RXU RZQ H\HV RU WKH JRYHUQPHQW"´ +H ZDV FRQ¿GHQW WKDW DOO
KLVWRU\ERRNVZLOOHYHQWXDOO\KDYHWREHFKDQJHGDVSHRSOHZLOOZDQWWR
NQRZWKHWUXWKDERXWWKHS\UDPLGV7KDWS\UDPLGDOWUXWKDFFRUGLQJWR
2VPDQDJLüLQYROYHVDIRUJRWWHQYHU\ROGFLYLOL]DWLRQVWUHWFKLQJDFURVV
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 47

WKHJOREHEXLOGLQJWKHVDPHNLQGRIVWUXFWXUHVLQPDQ\GLIIHUHQWSODFHV
After all, the pyramids showed amazing similarities which are plain for
DOOWRVHHZLWKWKHLURZQH\HV7KHVHVLPLODULWLHVLQFOXGHIRXUUDWKHU
WKDQWKUHHVLGHVRIHTXDOVL]HODUJHVWHSVRQWKHLUVLGHVDQGSHUIHFW
DVWURQRPLFDORULHQWDWLRQPRVWO\WRWKHQRUWK7KH\IHDWXUHSODWHDXV
on their tops, they contain passageways and underground tunnels, and
they are usually part of large sacred geometries within the surrounding
ODQGVFDSH 7R 2VPDQDJLü WKHVH S\UDPLGV ZHUH FRQVHTXHQWO\ DOO
GHVLJQHGDQGEXLOWE\WKHVDPHYHU\NQRZOHGJHDEOHDUFKLWHFWZKRNQHZ
not only about constructing perfectly geometrical forms but also about
SKHQRPHQDOLNHWKHGLIIHUHQFHEHWZHHQFRVPLFDQGPDJQHWLFQRUWKDV
ERWKDUHUHÀHFWHGLQWKHGHVLJQRIWKHS\UDPLGV
Having established himself as a global pyramid expert pursuing
WKHTXHVWIRUS\UDPLGDOWUXWKZLWKKLVRZQH\HV2VPDQDJLüWXUQHGWR
his home country, Bosnia. What are these pyramids that Osmanagic is
WDONLQJDERXWH[DFWO\"'LVFRYHUHGE\2VPDQDJLüLQWKHS\UDPLGV
DUHORFDWHGLQ9LVRNRDVPDOOWRZQRXWVLGHRI6DUDMHYRLQFHQWUDO%RVQLD
DQG +HU]HJRYLQD 7KH\ DUH ¿YH KLOOV WKDW WRJHWKHU FRPSULVH ZKDW
KDVEHHQFDOOHGWKH%RVQLDQ9DOOH\RIWKH3\UDPLGV)LJXUH+HUH
2VPDQDJLüVHWXSDELJSURMHFWGHGLFDWHGWRWKHLQYHVWLJDWLRQRIWKHVH
pyramids. The project has been attracting hundreds of volunteers from
DURXQG WKH ZRUOG WR DVVLVW LQ WKH ¿HOGZRUN DQG DERXW ¿YH KXQGUHG
WKRXVDQGFXULRXVYLVLWRUVKDYHFRPHWRYLVLW9LVRNR)LJXUH
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 48

Figure 1.7KH%RVQLDQ9DOOH\RIWKH3\UDPLGVDFFRUGLQJWR6HPLU2VPDQDJLü

Figure 2.6HPLU2VPDQDJLüJXLGHVYLVLWRUVDWWKHS\UDPLGH[FDYDWLRQLQ%RVQLD

The Bosnian pyramids are supposedly the oldest and largest in

the world, and they are placed in the world’s biggest Valley of the
3\UDPLGV,QIDFWWKH³3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ´ZLWKDKHLJKWRIPHWHUV
is the largest and oldest among them. It is not only about a third taller
than the Cheops pyramids in Egypt, but with a cited age of around
 \HDUV LW LV DOVR D ORW ROGHU )LJXUH  0DWHULDO DQDO\VLV
has reportedly revealed that the Bosnian pyramids were constructed
of concrete superior in hardness, water absorption and durability to
anything we use today. According to the dating methods applied,
the use of such materials preceded the invention of concrete by the
Romans by many millennia. As for the pyramids’ spatial orientation
ZLWKUHVSHFWWRFDUGLQDOGLUHFWLRQVWKH\DUHDOVRUHPDUNDEO\SUHFLVH
7KH³3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ´LVVDLGWREHRULHQWHGGXH1RUWKZLWKLQRQO\
12 seconds of error. Other structural aspects include passageways and
XQGHUJURXQGWXQQHOVSDUWO\¿OOHGZLWKZDWHUDQGFRQWDLQLQJPHJDOLWKLF
EORFNV D VXSSRVHGO\ \HDUROG FHUDPLF VFXOSWXUH DQG D EORFN
with many carved symbols. Around the site there is what Osmanagic
FDOOVD³VDFUHGJHRPHWU\´JHRPHWULFDOSDWWHUQVEHWZHHQYDULRXVVLWHV
in the landscape, best studied on maps.
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

Figure 3. 7KH%RVQLDQ³3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ´
6RXUFHKWWSZZZSLUDPLGDVXQFDEDHQJSKRWRJDOOHU\KWPO

7KHUHVXOWVRIWKLVZRUNPD\EHFRQWURYHUVLDODPRQJSURIHVVLRQDO
DUFKDHRORJLVWV EXW WKH UKHWRULF 2VPDQDJLü HPSOR\V SXVKHV PDQ\
of the right buttons. He stresses that all the results of his project
are openly available to be shared with everybody and that all he
ZDQWV LV WKH WUXWK WR HPHUJH WKURXJK VFLHQWL¿F PHWKRGV +LV WHDP
of collaborators investigates everything from building material and
VRLO VDPSOHV WR WKHUPDO DQRPDOLHV DQG HOHFWURPDJQHWLF ¿HOGV 7KH\
XVH DOO WKH VFLHQWL¿F WRROV DYDLODEOH WR WKHP LQFOXGLQJ JHRPDJQHWLF
VXUYH\JHRUDGDUVFUHHQLQJUDGLRFDUERQGDWLQJDQG'WULJRQRPHWULF
PDSV0XFKRIWKLVZRUNZDVSUHVHQWHGGXULQJWKH³)LUVW,QWHUQDWLRQDO
6FLHQWL¿F &RQIHUHQFH RQ WKH %RVQLDQ 9DOOH\ RI WKH 3\UDPLGV´ KHOG LQ
6DUDMHYR$XJXVWIRUDUHSRUWVHH3UXLWW
/DVWEXWQRWOHDVW2VPDQDJLüLVSURXGWRXVHDORWRIQRQGHVWUXFWLYH
methods, referring to a historical responsibility to preserve the site for
future generations.
As the lecture came to an end, the students were welcomed to
FRPPHQWDQGWRDVNTXHVWLRQV7KHDXGLHQFHZDVKRZHYHUUHODWLYHO\
VPDOO DQG PRVW RI WKH VWXGHQWV ZHUH LQ WKHLU ¿UVW RU VHFRQG \HDU RI
studies, rather overwhelmed by the long lecture and not too eager to
LQTXLUHIXUWKHULQWR2VPDQDJLü¶VFODLPVRUWRFRPPHQWRQWKHPDWDOO
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 50

1HYHUWKHOHVVKHUHVSRQGHGWRDIHZTXHVWLRQV$VNHGLIKHZRXOGDJUHH
that at the end of the day it doesn’t really matter if the pyramids were
real or not as the project has done so much for the people of Bosnia in
WHUPVRIWRXULVPKHGLVDJUHHG³,DPDUHVHDUFKHU,DPDVFLHQWLVW«
,WLVJRRGWKDWWKHFRXQWU\ZLOOEHQH¿W«EXW>WKLV@LVVHFRQGDU\´$WWKH
VDPH WLPH DOWKRXJK KLV ZRUN KDV EHHQ GLVPLVVHG E\ SUDFWLFDOO\ DOO
scientists around the world, he stated that he would not accept this as
D¿QDOQRWRWKHK\SRWKHVLVWKDWWKHELJJHVWDQGROGHVWS\UDPLGVRIWKH
ZRUOGFDQEHIRXQGLQ%RVQLDQ9LVRNR)LJXUH+DYLQJLQYHVWHGVR
PXFKWLPHDQGHIIRUWDOUHDG\KHZDVSUHSDUHGWRNHHSZRUNLQJZLWKWKH
project hoping that he would eventually be proven right. He also made
something of a pity appeal to the audience for their support to allow
KLPWRFRQWLQXHZRUNLQJWRWHVWKLVK\SRWKHVLVREYLRXVO\IUXVWUDWHGE\
the considerable opposition he faced by various authorities even within
Bosnia and Hercegovina.

Figure 4. +\SRWKHWLFDO UHFRQVWUXFWLRQ RI WKH %RVQLDQ 3\UDPLG RI WKH 6XQ DFFRUG-
LQJWR6HPLU2VPDQDJLüVKRZLQJDOVRWKHORJRRIWKH³%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ
Foundation”).
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 51

In sum then, the event itself – although controversial before it

happened – did not cause any major splash anywhere. In retrospect,
ZDV+ROWRUIULJKWLQLQYLWLQJKLP"*LYHQWKDWKHZDVIDPLOLDUZLWKWKH
LVVXHVVXUURXQGLQJDOWHUQDWLYHDUFKDHRORJ\+ROWRUIDQGWKDWKH
had made an informed decision in this case based on having read
UHOHYDQWDFDGHPLFVWXGLHV3UXLWWDQGWKDWKHKDG
also directly consulted some of the relevant experts in advance of the
invitation, there is no need for him to have any regrets. The reasoning
IRUWKHLQLWLDOLQYLWDWLRQVWLOODSSHDUVDVMXVWL¿HGVHHSDJH
 'LG2VPDQDJLüKLPVHOIH[SORLWWKHOHFWXUHWRJDLQXQGXHOHJLWLPDF\
DQGIXUWKHUPRPHQWXPIRUKLVSURMHFW"$OOZHNQRZLVWKDWWKHOHFWXUHZDV
mentioned on a Bosnian webpage1 including two photographs showing
the poster announcing the lecture and the institutional sign outside our
building. Should we be concerned about this? Hardly. Whatever some
of our colleagues in their contribution to the present discussion may
KDYH H[SHFWHG ZH GR QRW VHH HYLGHQFH WKDW 2VPDQDJLü KDV PLONHG
WKHHYHQWRIKLVOHFWXUH³WRLWVODVWGURS´ZKHWKHUIRUSHUVRQDOJDLQ
a nationalistic agenda or any other discernible purpose. We do not
FRQVLGHUKDYLQJEHHQ³GXSHG´E\KLPHLWKHU3HUKDSVLWZDVZLVHWKDW
+ROWRUIKDGWDNHQWKHVLPSOHSUHFDXWLRQDU\VWHSQRWWRDJUHHWRDMRLQW
SKRWRJUDSKZLWK2VPDQDJLü
In welcoming a lecture about the Bosnian pyramids we consider
RXUVHOYHVPRUHLQWRXFKZLWK³WKHUHDOZRUOG´WKDQWKRVHDUFKDHRORJLVWV
ZKR ZRUU\ D JUHDW GHDO DERXW UHFRUGLQJ ÀLQW VFDWWHUV $OWKRXJK WKH
OHFWXUHE\2VPDQDJLüZDVQRW¿QDQFLDOO\VXSSRUWHGE\WKH8QLYHUVLW\
or by any other public funds – and all that can be claimed is that
Holtorf had the personal pleasure to invite the discoverer of the
Bosnian pyramids for lunch – arguably this lecture provided a greater
RSSRUWXQLW\WROHDUQVRPHWKLQJDERXWWKHVLJQL¿FDQFHRIWKHSDVWDQG
cultural heritage in present-day society than many other lectures that
would not have caused any frowning by anybody.

1 KWWSSLUDPLGDVXQFDEDEVRIIOLQHSDJHDNWXHOQRVWLYLMHVWLSUH]HQWDFLMH
LWHP]DYUãHQDVHGPRGQHYQDWXUQHMDRVPDQDJLüDSRãYHGVNRMKWPO
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 52

References

$%&³%RVQLDQ3\UDPLG$%&+RXVWRQ&RYHUDJH´<RX7XEH
FRPRQOLQHYLGHR5HWULHYHG0D\IURPKWWSZZZ
\RXWXEHFRPZDWFK"Y []'<(%Y&E8
Bohannon, J. 2006a. Mad About Pyramids. 6FLHQFH 0DJD]LQH,
1718-1720.
Bohannon, J. 2006b. Researchers Helpless as Bosnian Pyramid
%DQGZDJRQ*DWKHUV3DFH6FLHQFH0DJD]LQH, 1862.
%RKDQQRQ-³7KH0DQ:KR:HQW8SD+LOODQG&DPH'RZQ
a Pyramid.” 'LVFRYHU0DJD]LQH, online. Retrieved 20 January,
IURPKWWSGLVFRYHUPDJD]LQHFRPQRYWKH
man-who-went-up-a-hill-and-came-down-a-pyramid
&RSSHQV 3  ³7KH 1HZ 3\UDPLG $JH 8QHDUWKLQJ (XURSH¶V
Oldest Pyramid Complex.” Philip Coppens, online. Retrieved
-DQXDU\IURPKWWSZZZSKLOLSFRSSHQVFRPQDSB
art4.html
)DJDQ *  'LDJQRVLQJ 3VHXGRDUFKDHRORJ\ ,Q * )DJDQ
HG $UFKDHRORJLFDO )DQWDVLHV +RZ 3VHXGRDUFKDHRORJ\
0LVUHSUHVHQWV WKH 3DVW DQG 0LVOHDGV WKH 3XEOLF 1HZ <RUN
5RXWOHGJH
)RHU-³/RYH7ULDQJOHV´2XWVLGH0DJD]LQH, online. Retrieved
 -DQXDU\  IURP KWWSRXWVLGHDZD\FRPRXWVLGH
GHVWLQDWLRQVERVQLDKHU]HJRYLQDKWPO
)RQGDFLMD$UKHRORãNLSDUN%RVDQVNDSLUDPLGD6XQFD³7KH
$UFKDHRORJLFDO3DUN%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGRIWKH6XQ)RXQGDWLRQ´
5HWULHYHG  -DQXDU\  IURP KWWSSLUDPLGDVXQFDED
HQJKRPHHQKWPO"YLHZ IHDWXUHG
+DUGLQJ$³%RVQLD¶VULFKKHULWDJH´TimesOnline. Retrieved
 0D\  IURP KWWSZZZWLPHVRQOLQHFRXNWRO
FRPPHQWOHWWHUVDUWLFOHHFH
+ROWRUI &  %H\RQG FUXVDGHV KRZ QRW WR HQJDJH ZLWK
alternative archaeologies. World Archaeology  
551.
+RRSHV-:0D\DQLVPFRPHVRI1HZ$JH,Q*HOIHU-
HG'HFRGLQJWKH&RXQWHUFXOWXUH$SRFDO\SVH/RQGRQ
Equinox Publishing.
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace?

,&%3³7KH)LUVW,QWHUQDWLRQDO6FLHQWL¿F&RQIHUHQFH%RVQLDQ
Valley of the Pyramids.” Retrieved 20 January, 2010, from
KWWSLFESED
-HQNLQV -0  7KH  6WRU\ 7KH 0\WKV )DOODFLHV DQG
7UXWK%HKLQGWKH0RVW,QWULJXLQJ'DWHLQ+LVWRU\1HZ<RUN
Penguin.
.DPSVFKURU %  3\UDPLG 6FKHPH $UFKDHRORJ\ 0DJD]LQH

/DZOHU$³$065DGLRFDUERQ'DWLQJRID:RRG6DPSOHIURP
Tunel Ravne: Methods, Results and Impliations for Futher
Research.” Retrieved 10 November, 2010, from irna.lautre.
QHW,0*GRF:RRGBLQB5DYQHGRF
Malcolm, N. 2002. %RVQLD$6KRUW+LVWRU\/RQGRQ3DQ%RRNV
Osmanagic, S. 2004. 7KH :RUOG RI WKH 0D\D. Sarajevo,
6YMHWORVW 6HH RQOLQH ERRN IURP  DW IURP KWWS
ZZZDOWHUQDWLYQDKLVWRULMDFRP:0PDLQKWP 5HWULHYHG 
November, 2010.
2VPDQDJLF 6  ³7KH )RUPXOD WR 8QGHUVWDQG 7KH %RVQLDQ
Pyramids.” Bosnian Pyramid!?. Retrieved 20 January, 2010,
IURP KWWSZZZERVQLDQ S\UDPLGQHW3\UDPLGQHZV
%RVQLDQS\UDPLGODWHVWQHZV7KH)RUPXODWR XQGHUVWDQG
7KH%RVQLDQ3\UDPLGVE\6HPLU2VPDQDJLF
Osmanagic, S. 2007a. %RVQLDQ 9DOOH\ RI 3\UDPLGV 6FLHQWL¿F
(YLGHQFH $ERXW WKH ([LVWHQFH RI %RVQLDQ 3\UDPLGV GLJLWDO
document.9LVRNR7KH$UFKDHRORJLFDO3DUN%RVQLDQ3\UDPLG
of the Sun Foundation.
Osmanagic, S. 2007b. 1RQWHFKQRORJLFDO &LYLOL]DWLRQ RI 0D\DV
YHUVXV 0RGHUQ 7HFKQRORJLFDO &LYLOL]DWLRQV Sarajevo,
8QLYHUVLW\RI6DUDMHYR
Pruitt, T. 2007. $GGUHVVLQJ ,QYHQWHG +HULWDJH WKH &DVH RI WKH
Bosnian Pyramids. MPhil Dissertation, Department of
$UFKDHRORJ\8QLYHUVLW\RI&DPEULGJH
3UXLWW 7  &RQWH[WXDOLVLQJ $OWHUQDWLYH $UFKDHRORJ\ 6RFLR
3ROLWLFV DQG $SSURDFKHV ,Q 7 3UXLWW DQG ' <DWHV HGV
,QYHQWLRQ DQG 5HLQYHQWLRQ 3HUFHSWLRQV DQG $UFKDHRORJLFDO
Practice. Archaeological Review from Cambridge  
75.
 )2580 Is Public Archaeology a menace? - 54

Pruitt, T. 2011. Authority and the Production of Knowledge in

Archaeology. &DPEULGJH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI &DPEULGJH 3K'
Thesis.
Rose, M. 2006a. More on Bosnian ‘Pyramids’. Archaeology
0DJD]LQH RQOLQH 5HWULHYHG  -DQXDU\  IURP KWWS
ZZZDUFKDHRORJ\RUJRQOLQHIHDWXUHV RVPDQDJLFXSGDWH
html
5RVH 0 E ³7KH %RVQLD$WODQWLV &RQQHFWLRQ´ $UFKDHRORJ\
0DJD]LQH RQOLQH 5HWULHYHG  $XJXVW  IURP KWWS
ZZZDUFKDHRORJ\RUJRQOLQHIHDWXUHVRVPDQDJLFXSGDWH
html
6LWR6XFLF '  ³&RQWURYHUVLDO GLJ VSDUNV S\UDPLG PDQLD
LQ %RVQLD´ 1HZV6FRWVPDQFRP RQOLQH 5HWULHYHG  0D\
IURPKWWSDOODERXWERVQLDQS\UDPEORJJHUED
7ULJJHU % *  $OWHUQDWLYH $UFKDHRORJLHV 1DWLRQDOLVW
Colonialist, Imperialist. 0DQ
9UDEDF 6 HW DO  ³,]YMHãWDM R JHRORãNLP LVWUDåLYDQMLPD
9LVRþLFH NRG 9LVRNRJ´ LQ %RVQLDQ RQOLQH UHSRUW 0LQLQJ
*HRORJ\DQG&LYLO(QJLQHHULQJ)DFXOW\RI8QLYHUVLW\RI7X]OD
5HWULHYHG-DQXDU\IURPKWWSLUQDODXWUHQHW,0*
SGI2XWSXWSGI
:RRGDUG &  ³7KH *UHDW 3\UDPLGV RI%RVQLD" ´ 7KH
Chronicle of Higher Education, online. Retrieved 20 January,
IURPKWWSFKURQLFOHFRPZHHNO\YLD
htm
:RRGDUG &  ³7KH 0\VWHU\ RI %RVQLD¶V $QFLHQW 3\UDPLGV´
Smithsonian Magazine, online. Retrieved 20 January,
 IURP KWWSZZZVPLWKVRQLDQPDJFRPKLVWRU\
DUFKDHRORJ\7KH0\VWHU\RI%RVQLDV$QFLHQW3\UDPLGV
KWPO"F \ SDJH 
=KHO\D]NRYD $  ³%RVQLD 7ROHUDQW +RVWLOLW\´ 5HWULHYHG 
-DQXDU\  IURP KWWSZZZLPLUEJRUJLPLUUHSRUWV
%RVQLDB7ROHUDQWB+RVWLOLW\SGI
 AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology

Editor:
Jaime Almansa Sánchez
Email: [email protected]
Assistant editor:
Elena Papagiannopoulou
Edited by:
-$6$UTXHRORJtD6/8
Website: www.jasarqueologia.es
Email: [email protected]
$GGUHVV3OD]DGH$UWHLMR70DGULG6SDLQ
--
Cover Image: 6WRU\ERDUGIRUD36$LQ3KLOO\+:LQRJUDGDQG0+DDV

&RS\ULJKW‹-$6$UTXHRORJtD6/8HGLWLRQ $XWKRUVFRQWHQW

,661

Quotation:
Full - Pruitt, T. et al.)RUXP7KHOLPLWVRIFROODERUDWLRQ2VPDQDJLü
in the campus AP Journal Vol. 2, 24-54.
Individuals - Surname, N. 2012. Title in Forum: The limits of collaboration.
2VPDQDJLüLQWKHFDPSXVAP Journal Vol. 2, x-x.

AP Journal is a peer-reviewed journal devoted exclusively to Public

Archaeology. It is freely distributed online on the Website:

www.arqueologiapublica.es

You can also follow us on:

Blogger:

KWWSDUTXHRORJLDSXEOLFDEORJVSRWFRP

Twitter:

KWWSWZLWWHUFRP$3MRXUQDO

)DFHERRN

KWWSZZZIDFHERRNFRP$3-RXUQDO